Work on 2 GE BowTie style dishwashers

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Just Remember...

Two Unicouples... No Waiting...

 

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So I finally got a chance to use the 62 Turquoise Mobile Maid on Saturday night.  I was relieved to see the latest attempt at replacing the fill hose held this time!   A full cycle test was in order... 

 

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The hose did NOT blow out during the main wash this time around.  Phew!   Love that sound the Mobile Maid makes when it's running!! 

 

 

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Then on Sunday....

I'm struggling and juggling machines a bit these days, trying to make some room but I had to get back to work on "Princess Turquoise"!

 

I finally managed to install the lid from "Princess Woodtone" who gave up her 'crown' for Princess Turquoise. 

 

I had a bit of a time messing with the springs that hold the lid in place - between the 2 machines, I only had 1 good spring.  There was one other, but it had been stretched out.  No biggie - I actually managed to compress it back down using vice-grips. 

 

So after nearly 10 years, Princess Turquoise was almost complete again.  This is the view from the rear of the tub showing the lid back in place.  

 

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I was a little concerned about how well everything would fit together again on this one... Recall that the original cabinet had been cut during removal by its previous owners and that Phil had welded it back together for me.  I had a couple of alignment issues with the cabinet for the '57 Whirlpool when I reassembled it - but nothing too serious.  

 

When I first popped the tub back into the frame, I couldn't get the tub all the way back in - the front panel kept hitting the trim panel on the right hand side.  Fortunately, that was just because I had not firmly installed the front panel!  A couple of screws tightened and voilà - problem solved.  

 

I was fortunate that the plastic grille on Princess Turquoise was more or less intact, but I needed the lower trim strip from Princess Woodtone to complete the installation.

 

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HOWEVER....

Because I just HAVE to mess something up, I realized after getting the lid back in place that I had not reinstalled the water inlet line...  It's an oddball installation, too...  A piece of copper tubing is somehow mounted to the top of the cabinet frame with a spout that lines up over a "trough" that serves as a fill flume and tub vent.  I am kinda glad I didn't have to juggle a Power Shower with that, however I am willing to try when I get an SU70... LOL

 

I still need a water valve, too, but that should not be a big problem.  I may wind up swiping the one from my unsold 1993 Moffat!  

 

I'm getting closer to doing a full cycle test... perhaps by August when Princess Turquoise will have officially been with me 10 years!  LOL 

 

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The Princess makes her 'debut'

I was all wound up about vintage machines this weekend, worrying about the Lady K in St-Lib, so I tried to keep my mind occupied on something else.  I think it was worth completing the work on the Princess Turquoise, which had been otherwise sidelined for the past 10 years!  

 

I had one little challenge - install the fill tube and make sure it was properly aimed at the fill/vent trough in the dishwasher lid.  I think I got it more or less right... I still had the original copper fill tube, but it had been 'unbent' over the years and I don't have a specific service manual for the SU60 models like this so I was not 100% sure how to route the pipe.  I think I may have to redo it, but at this point I was too itchy to get it back together for a water test!

 

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So, the moment of truth.... Would it hold vater?

 

Youbetcha!! 

 



 

Yes, that is some creative plumbing alright... LOL 

 

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It still needs a couple of minor tweaks...   I ran the dishwasher through a full cycle out on the driveway and noticed some water seepage from one corner of the tub (the left side as viewed from the back of the machine); I am not too surprised, the closed-cell gasket that I cobbled together for a first water test a couple of years ago had gaps in the corners.  That will be pretty easy to remedy.  

 

The other wee issue was something not previous noted.  I noticed a few drips of water coming from the motor mounting collar area as the Princess complete the cycle.  I have a feeling that this is due to dry gasketing and that if I'd used hot water for the test this may not have been an issue. As it was, I noticed the drip had diminished by the end of the cycle.  I'll try a hot water test soon to be sure. 

 

Also, I noted something different between Princess Woodtone and Princess Turquoise... Princess Turquoise does not seem to have that short water inlet 'purge' during all drains, save the final rinse.  Both are 'S' models from 1959 but knowing GE, I can't help but wonder if there were a few early run models of the SU60's that still had the older style timer without the purge.    Since Princess Woodtone is probably going to sacrifice her body in the name of science, I wonder if I should swap timers...  Decisions, decisions!    Of course You-Know-Who is going to be on my case about 'So where does it go now'....  Not sure I am ready to give up that Maytag in St-Lib but....  

 

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Question du jour....

I have been using the '62 Mobile Maid regularly and I am pretty happy with overall results.  Full disclosure - did a load of my 'better' dishes AND the new estate silverplated flatware on the weekend after a Canada Day shindig and the 'Fine China and Crystal' cycle did just fine.  

 

However, as I use this machine more, I fear the gasket on the tube which feeds the power shower is going to give up on me.  Now this one is not at all like the one on the '71 Mobile Maid - are the new 'sleeve' type gaskets compatible with the older one?  There is still plenty of time left for me to play with the '65 Talisman Mobile Maid, too, so I may just need to get a couple of spares.  

 

If anyone has the part number of this, please let me know.  

 

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OOOOOOOooooooo...

Give my best to Maidee : )